Contract-to-close management in Kensington

Moving from contract to closing in Kensington includes a permit check few buyers anticipate. Inside the town limits, building without a town permit counts as a Class A municipal infraction, fined $520 for a first offense and the same for repeats. Decks, fences, driveways, sheds and additions all qualify. If unpermitted work surfaces after settlement, the buyer owns the problem. We ask for permit history right after ratification.

Two clocks run in parallel. Montgomery County requires radon testing on single-family houses and townhouses within the year before settlement, and both parties see the results. Under Maryland law, a buyer who gets the seller’s disclosure after signing has 5 days to rescind. Handing that form over before signatures removes the risk, so we confirm the buyer has it first.

Bill lines need settling as well. Town parcels carried an $87.17 solid waste charge on levy year 2025 bills, compared with $671.39 for most parcels in 20895 beyond the town line. Prorations should use the right figure. Some older properties also carry a WSSC Water front foot benefit charge. It can remain on the tax bill for as long as 30 years, though an early payoff is allowed. Who covers any balance gets settled in writing.

The rest of the checklist covers the appraisal, the lender’s final approval, condo or homeowners association papers, a walk-through and booking settlement. Several can fall in the same week, so each gets a named owner and a reminder. Contract-to-close management explains the service in general. A buyer’s wider checklist sits on managing a home purchase in Kensington. Repair talks happen on inspection and appraisal negotiation in Kensington. Village permit offices complicate Contract to closing in Chevy Chase too. Sellers who want the listing side covered as well can reach our Kensington real estate agent by phone or email.